CZECH ATTENDANCE AT 60TH UNGA AND FEEDBACK ON G-4

UNCLAS PRAGUE 001035 SIPDIS SENSITIVE FOR EUR/ERA,IO/UPN (HARRIS),USUN(POL),NSC (WILLIAMS-MANIGAULT),EUR/PGI (NARDI) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL OVIP KSEP EZ OTRA UNSC UNGA SUBJECT: CZECH ATTENDANCE AT 60TH UNGA AND FEEDBACK ON G-4 PROPOSAL REF: A. STATE 122846 ¶B. STATE 126870 ¶C. PRAGUE 1007 ¶1. (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified - Not for Internet Distribution. ¶2. (SBU) On July 8, we met with Mr. Jan Kara, Director of the UN Department at the MFA to discuss ref A demarche on Czech attendance at the UNGA and September HLE. Kara said that while it was too early to confirm details, the GOCR is currently planning on PM Paroubek to be its representative at the summit and on FM Svoboda attending the UNGA. Confirmation is largely waiting on President Klaus, who may be interested in attending the summit or the UNGA in his role as head of state. Klaus currently is planning a trip to the U.S. that is likely to take him to the U.S. near the time of the summit. The MFA will confirm the requested details in ref A once the President has made a formal decision whether to attend either event. ¶3. (SBU) We also discussed reftel B on the G-4 proposal on UNSC Reform, a subject that will be raised at higher-levels later this week. Kara reaffirmed his earlier information (ref C) that the Czechs support the G-4 proposal and are one of the co-sponsors. He believed that the co-sponsors were prepared to table it soon, although he noted there was still a certain fluidity in discussions as they try to drum up additional support for their proposal. He added that the G-4 is now in talks with the African Union, which is pushing for additional non-permanent seats on the UNSC, raising the possibility of an expanded UN Security Council of 26 members. He said the Czechs would prefer to have more co-sponsors for the proposal, particularly as a few of the co-sponsors that they have to date will not be able to vote on it due to budgetary arrears. (Note: We now understand that the G-4 proposal has been tabled and was signed by 23 cosponsors, including the Czech Republic). Visit Prague's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/prague/index. cfm DODMAN